“Only 2.5% of military commissars were punished for human rights violations during mobilization in Ukraine,” – said the ombudsman

More than 3,500 complaints have been filed in Ukraine regarding violations committed by Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TRCs) during mobilization. Over 2,000 of these were submitted this year alone — yet only about 50 cases have resulted in disciplinary action.

This was revealed by Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada’s Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman).

“We have cases where my representatives go to TRC offices in the regions and help restore citizens’ rights. We are engaged not only in responding to violations but also in preventing them. We understand that mobilization is taking place in our country, but my position is simple: it must be carried out strictly according to the law and without violating citizens’ rights,” Lubinets stated.

He noted that not every complaint indicates a legal violation, but in “a significant number” of cases, violations are indeed found.

Lubinets also expressed opposition to publicizing certain cases, citing the risk that Russia could use them against Ukraine and its armed forces.

“But just because I don’t publicly respond doesn’t mean we’re not taking legal action. In every case, a file is opened, official representatives are sent, and responses are demanded. Our inquiries have even led to criminal investigations. More than 50 TRC representatives have faced disciplinary measures,” the Ombudsman added.

This means that only around 2.5% of the officials about whom citizens complained were actually punished.

Numerous reports of unjustified violence by recruitment officers have surfaced online in the past. For example, in Kharkiv, a military official reportedly struck a schoolteacher — who had legal deferment — during a document check. In that case, the TRC blamed the victim.

In another incident in Lutsk, volunteers were detained by military officers without police presence or identity checks; one was even pepper-sprayed in the face.